MAGNETIC CONNECTORS
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed magnetic connectors and electronic devices including such connectors. A connector may include a magnet rotatable about at least one axis of the magnet; wherein the magnet rotates to magnetically engage a magnet of another connector to form an electrical connection between the two magnets. A connector may also include a cylindrical magnet to magnetically engage a magnet of another connector; and a sleeve wrapped around at least part of the magnet, the sleeve comprising a contact for forming an electrical connection with a contact on the other connector. A connector may be adapted for selective connection with other connectors. A connector may be adapted such that a moveable magnet may move between an engaged position proximate a contacting surface of the connector and a disengaged position recessed from a contacting surface, wherein the moveable magnet is biased to the disengaged position.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1-38. -38. (canceled)
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39. A connector for an electronic device having a housing, the connector comprising;
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a moveable magnet received in the housing and moveable between at least; an engaged position proximate an outer surface of the housing, wherein the moveable magnet engages another connector to form a connection therewith; and a disengaged position recessed from a contacting surface, wherein the moveable magnet is disengaged from the other connector; wherein the moveable magnet is magnetically biased to the disengaged position, and is drawn to the engaged position by magnetic attraction between the moveable magnet and a connector of an adjacent electronic device, to form a connection with the connector of the adjacent electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of connecting electronic devices, comprising:
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positioning a connectors of a first electronic device adjacent a connector of a second electronic device; magnetically drawing a magnet of said second electronic device toward a corresponding magnet of said first electronic device, from a disengaged position to an engaged position, thereby overcoming a magnetic bias of said magnet of said second electronic device toward said disengaged position; and holding said first and second electronic devices in contact by magnetic attraction. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification